Variety Texas

Have y’all gotten your tickets for this year’s Texan of the Year Gala yet? Here’s a glimpse from last year’s event which featured a live longhorn, real cowboy auctioneers and a testimony from the King family who have been directly impacted by Variety of Texas (Daughter Addie King is pictured in the first image).

Join us Wednesday, August 28th at the Grandscape to celebrate our Texan of the Year Derek Alley of . Come to support the kids, stay for a boot scootin good time 🤠

🔗Tickets and additional information can be found at varietytexas.org/gala

See y’all soon! ❤️

[Image Description: Image 1 shows Addie King posing in a wheelchair next to a trained professional yielding a lasso. Image 2 includes event details listed above in the form of a graphic invitation. Image 3 shows attendees posing next to a live longhorn with the variety logo in the background on a Texas shaped backdrop. Image 4 shows attendees posing on hay bales.]

This Saturday, June 29, Studio Movie Grill will be hosting a ⚡️free⚡️sensory-friendly screening of Disney’s Inside Out 2 in select theaters at 11 am.

Through its Special Needs Screenings program, presents movies at a low volume with theater lights on. SMG invites talking or movement during the screening. This event is FREE for individuals with special needs and their family members. For best viewing experience, SMG suggests arriving 20 minutes early to the film.



[ID: A graphic states “Special Needs Screenings Saturdays! Now FREE for all family members of guests with special needs. Jun 29 at 11 am.]

After seven remarkable years at the helm, Stacy Bruce, Executive Director of Variety — the Children’s Charity of Texas, has announced she is stepping down to pursue a long-held dream of living in the mountains.

Stacy Bruce commented, “My passion for our mission, the children we serve, and the communities we touch runs deep. Every day, I have been inspired by the resilience and joy of the children and families we support. I have been equally loved by the steadfast commitment of our donors, corporate sponsors, and community partners. Your generosity and dedication have been the backbone of our success, and I am profoundly grateful for each and every relationship we’ve built.”

To ensure a seamless transition, Skyler Lightfoot, our current Director of Operations will step into the role of Interim Executive Director as she brings extensive experience and a genuine dedication to the mission.

There’s only a few days left to support our at Camp Bluebonnet through their Silent Auction💙 You can follow along with our campers this week at Peaceable Kingdom through our page and theirs Camp Bluebonnet by Variety Texas

🔗To learn more about the history of Camp Bluebonnet and donate visit https://givebutter.com/c/1EWqLg

Thank you VCC Cares Foundation for all that you do to support Variety! We can’t wait to celebrate VCC Construction CEO Derek Alley and your work at our Texan of the Year Gala in August ❤️

Did you know that VCC Cares supports organizations that provide summer camps and activities for special needs children? Variety Texas of Texas offers the Peaceable Kingdom campground in Killeen, TX, where children can roam free under the guidance of skilled counselors. J F Shea Therapeutic Riding Center's Summer Horse Camp, voted 'Best Special Needs Camp' by ParentingOC, teaches horsemanship to kids with and without disabilities. Additionally, Community Connections hosts Camp Connect, where 11-16 year olds with specific disabilities can swim, bowl, and learn teamwork. Visit vcccares.org to learn more on how you can support these incredible organizations!

We hope you cowboys are ready to join us this August for our annual Texan of the Year Gala and Al Webster Memorial Golf Tournament honoring Derek Alley of VCC Construction. Check out our website at varietytexas.org/gala for tickets and additional details!

[ID: A western themed graphic says “Saddle up and mosey on over to Variety’s Texan of the Year Golf and Gala Fundraiser honoring Derek Alley of VCC Construction. Gala 8.28.24 @ The Grandscape and Gold 8.29.24 @ The Dallas Cowboys Gold Club.]

Please join us at Peaceable Kingdom May 24th for our final Fun Friday event of the season! Registrants are welcomed to comment their favorite movie below to for a screening at this event ❤️

☀️This event is *free* and intended for adults (18+) with special needs

🔗 Registration is open through the link in our bio

[ID: Flyer reads “Fun Friday May 24th, 7-10 pm is a free event for adults (18+) with special needs. Enter through Gate 1 at Peaceable Kingdom. 19051 FM 2484, Killeen, TX, 76542. Register at varietyTexas.org/fun-fridays]

Last month we were honored to host ’s CB Saturday 💙 The perfect experience for families interested in the summer camp dedicated to kids with Type 1 diabetes, but not quite old enough yet.

We love to see our Camp Bluebonnet family growing even bigger every year! Make sure to follow their page to stay up to date on all things summer camp 🏕️

[ID: Children of various ages play with farm animals and shoot archery bows at our summer camp retreat.]

Thank you to our partners at Violet Crown Cinema for participating in our 2024 Cinema Passport fundraiser! is in the heart of Austin, downtown in the 2nd Street District.

According to them, Violet Crown is “not simply a business. We strive to be an important part of our community.” Enjoy a movie this weekend and support this local business in the process 🍿

🎥With our 2024 Cinema Passport, you can see free movies there all year long!

🔗To learn more about this program and the work it funds, visit varietytexas.org/cinemapassports

⛑️ Image Description: A graphic featuring children Variety of Texas supports through our various programs surrounds a graphic with the text “2024 Cinema Passport Theater Spotlight - Violet Crown - Learn more about this fundraiser at varietytexas.org/cinemapassports”

2024 Summer Impact Team Member and Lead applications are open for Variety’s Peaceable Kingdom!

These positions are valued members of our team at Peaceable Kingdom by Variety, and are responsible for assisting in all aspects of our summer camp program. To learn more and apply, visit the link in our bio 🔗

[ID: Previous Summer Impact Team member poses with a child. The bottom of slide one says “We’re Hiring!!” The second slide with the same image writes “Join our Summer Staff at Peaceable Kingdom” at the top and “Learn more at varietytexas.org/summerstaff”]

Not all heroes wear capes, some wear grey shirts ❤️

Thank you to our loyal volunteers at Team Rubicon for helping us to create safe hot summers at Peaceable Kingdom with wildfire mitigation!

Side by side we learned, laughed, and found much success which ultimately fosters an ever stronger community of compassionate servant leaders. Thank you to Team Rubicon for partnering with us on operation Earth, Wind and Fire 🌎💨🔥

We are honored to welcome Joshua Levy to our team as the Director of Programs.

Joshua has over 30 years of experience working with the disability community. Beginning as a volunteer special education assistant in his childhood, Joshua has done everything from teaching special education at the elementary and high school level, to creating . A nonprofit organization enriching the lives of special needs individuals, Joshua’s Stage will continue under Joshua’s leadership, and we look forward to future collaboration with our organizations!

We look forward to Joshua’s commitment to intentional fun, serving our communities, and program quality improvement ❤️

[ID: Joshua reads a book to children while seated on the floor. The text in the graphic beneath reads “Welcome to Variety of Texas! Director of Programs Joshua Levy”]

Still in need of enriching activities for your child this summer? Registration is open for our iCan Shine Bike camp taking place in Dripping Springs and Harker Heights this July ☀️

🔗 To learn more, check out the link in our bio!

[ID: A child smiles as his bike helmet is clipped into place. Text to the right reads “In need of plans for your child this summer, Bike Camp helps individuals with special needs become independent bike riders in 5 days!” Located at Springs Family YMCA July 1-5 and Harker Heights Rec Center July 15-19.]

Have you registered for summer camp yet? Don’t worry, registration is still open for Camp Bluebonnet by Variety Texas, our summer camp dedicated to kids with Type 1 diabetes. We can’t wait to see your faces this summer ☀️ Follow their page for more updates!

🔗 Register today with the link in our bio
🚌 Bus services from Austin, Waco & Temple available
💲Financial Aid available



[ID: Text reads “Faces of Camp Bluebonnet, Will we see yours in 2024?” with a link to register at varietytexas.org/campbluebonnet]

Please join us at Peaceable Kingdom April 19th for our Fun Friday event! Ready your western wear for a rowdy time and some cowboy activities ❤️

🤠 This event is free and intended for adults (18+) with special needs

🔗 Registration is open at www.varietytexas.org/fun-fridays

[ID: Flyer reads “Fun Friday April 19, 7-10 pm is a free event for adults (18+) with special needs. A western party featuring fire camp hot dogs and s’mores, bull lasso, hot shoe games, other farm activities and a screening of spirit (rated G). Enter through Gate 1 at Peaceable Kingdom. 19051 FM 2484, Killeen, TX, 76542. Register at varietyTexas.org/fun-fridays]

Thank you to our partners at Santiko’s Entertainment for participating in our 2024 Cinema Passport fundraiser! has 10 theaters in the San Antonio and New Braunfels area that you can attend for free with a Cinema Passport.

To learn more about this program and the work it funds, visit varietytexas.org/cinemapassports 🔗

Earlier this month we partnered with as a part of our Peaceable Kingdom to You (PK2U) program for a Day Camp🌟 PK2U was created to bring the magic of Peaceable Kingdom to kids that may not get to experience it otherwise.

Together, learned how to build tents and learned about the different types of clouds and other things we can find in our sky. We also did some team-building activities, low ropes, introduced our reptile friends, and enjoyed some campfire snacks and songs!

Thank you to Any Baby Can for helping us create accessible fun for kids for over a decade ❤️

[ID: Image 1- A Peaceable Kingdom Program Facilitator Drew introduces the reptiles to the group, facing the group with a lizard hanging on the back of his shirt. Image 2- A child smiles from inside an assembled tent. Image 3- Program Facilitator Kristen speaks to the small crowd with a lizard on her hand as children listen.]

2024 Summer Impact Team Member and Lead applications are open for Variety’s Peaceable Kingdom!

These positions are valued members of our team at Peaceable Kingdom by Variety, and are responsible for assisting in all aspects of our summer camp program. To learn more and apply, visit 🔗 varietytexas.org/summerstaff

[ID: Past Summer Impact Team Members pose with a child a rhe high ropes course. The bottom of slide one says “We’re Hiring!!” The second slide with the same image writes “Join our Summer Staff at Peaceable Kingdom” at the top and “Learn more at varietytexas.org/summerstaff”]

Variety’s iCan Shine Bike Camp registration is now live! Utilizing adaptive bikes and a specialized instructional program, Bike Camp helps local individuals (ages 8+) with special needs become lifelong independent riders and beat these statistics.

Each day of this 5-day program, riders progress in their 75-minute sessions with the help of volunteer spotters that are instructed by the program coordinators.

🔗 Visit the link in our bio to learn more!

Please join us at Peaceable Kingdom next week for our March Fun Friday event! It’s an open mic night so ready your vocals for an evening of karaoke and fun ❤️

🎤 This event is free and intended for adults (18+) with special needs

🔗 Registration is open at varietytexas.org/fun-fridays

[ID: Graphic reads “Individuals (18+) living withe special needs are invited to Open Mic Night. It’s your time to shine! So get on stage and sing a song or just sing along to a great karaoke mic night! Friday, March 22, 2024 from 7-10 pm at 19051 FM 2484 Killeen, TX 76542. Please enter through Gate 2. Register today at www.varietytexas.org/fun-fridays”

Due to unforeseen circumstances, our 2024 Kites for Kids event at Peaceable Kingdom will be cancelled. We can’t wait to fly our kites with you all in 2025! 🪁

This Saturday, March 16th, Studio Movie Grill will be hosting a ⚡️free⚡️sensory-friendly screening of Kung Fu Panda 4 in select theaters at 11 am.

Through its Special Needs Screenings program, presents movies at a low volume with theater lights on. SMG invites talking or movement during the screening. This event is FREE for individuals with special needs and their family members. For best viewing experience, SMG suggests arriving 20 minutes early to the film.

[ID: A green graphic shares the Kung Fu Panda poster with Po holding his staff of wisdom surrounded by his team. To the left reads: Studio Movie Grill Special Needs Screening Saturdays! Now Free for all family members of guests with special needs. March 16 at 11 am.]

“It’s all about inclusivity,” Barnes says. “Anyone can enjoy archery.” That was well said by our very own program facilitator, Kristen Barnes, on the first day of our all-abilities archery camp in Harker Heights, which took place yesterday. At Variety of Texas, we envision a world without isolation and stigma for children with special needs, and this week was another step forward.

A huge thank you to the Killeen Daily Herald for showcasing our all-abilities archery camp, to Harker Heights Parks & Recreation for partnering with us to create this accessible program, and to our invaluable staff for making it all happen!

Students of ‘all abilities’ learn archery in Harker Heights HARKER HEIGHTS — Archery class is in session at the Harker Heights Recreation Center this week for participants of all abilities.

Registration is open for CB Saturday at Peaceable Kingdom 💙

This camp is dedicated to families and campers of all ages living with Type 1 diabetes. It’s a great preview for new campers who want to see what a day at camp is like 🔗 Register today at www.varietytexas.org/bluebonnet

[ID: A graphic featuring kids with diabetes shows the following information; CB Saturday is April 27, 2024, families can register at varietytexas.org/bluebonnet, the tag “come get a taste of camp, before camp!”]

Registration is still open for Harker Heights 3-day adaptive archery camp! 🏹

The archery camp will be an immersive experience in learning and refining basic archery skills. This program is open to everyone of all abilities.

Sessions will be held between 8:30am and 2:30pm
March 11-13, 2024
Ages 6+
$9 a person
HH Recreation Center
🔗Register at https://secure.rec1.com/TX/harker-heights-tx/catalog/index/95740af705e666148b6f9e291d9263af?filter=c2VhcmNoPSZ0YWdzJTVCNTU0NCU1RD0x&fbclid=IwAR2NF2kxZLgPlOpBoaDGEZV4wjvwUl6nVAGJ5yHHX8fiOazsaoqYw7hXNhg (Please note Pre-Registration is required)

If you have any questions please call 254-953-5465.
For a scholarship form please email [email protected] for fees to be waived

Variety’s ‘ShowHeart’ concert is a virtual five day Twitch charity concert/streamathon featuring up to 40+ bands & artists from across the world.

The concert series will broadcast live on Twitch over a series of five days.

The concert will open at 6:00am EST on March 7, headlined by our host and fellow Twitch entertainer, Josh Taerk. The streamathon will continue with non- stop entertainment until 2:00am March 11th.

To learn more about how you can tune in and support Variety, follow or visit variety.org/variety-showheart-global-concert ❤️

2024 Summer Impact Team Member and Lead applications are open for Variety’s Peaceable Kingdom!

These positions are valued members of our team at Peaceable Kingdom by Variety, and are responsible for assisting in all aspect of our summer program. To learn more and apply, visit varietytexas.org/summerstaff

[ID: Past Summer Impact Team Members are lined up in a row, faces smiling at the camera will holding fishing poles. Text at the bottom reads “Summer Staff Applications Open!”]

Thank you to for your continual support with our Cinema Passport fundraiser.

With a donation of $500, supporters can attend free movies (with some rules and regulations applied) at any of our partnering theaters for the entire year!

These funds go towards supporting our mission of reducing isolation and stigma for children with special needs through our programs and camps.

Learn more and donate at varietytexas.org/cinemapassports ❤️

[ID: A collage background of children expressing joy frames a graphic that states “2024 Cinema Passport Theater Spotlight” with Cinemark’s logo below. Beneath that is the link written above with the text “Learn more about this fundraiser at varietytexas.org/cinemapassports”.]

We are proud to announce that Peaceable Kingdom by Variety is now an American Camp Association Accredited Camp!

ACA accreditation means that Peaceable Kingdom submitted to a thorough review of its operation by the American Camp Association (ACA) — from staff qualifications and training to emergency management. American Camp Association collaborated with experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth-serving agencies to assure that current practices at the camp reflect the most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation. Peaceable Kingdom by Variety and ACA form a partnership that promotes summers of growth and fun in an environment committed to safety.

Thank you to our staff for their diligent work over many months to make this happen. This team effort would not be possible without each individual contribution!

[ID: In slide one, a child in a wheelchair wearing a helmet smiles at the camera with the American Camp Association logo in the background. In slide two, the new ACA accreditation plaque is on display at the main office at PK.]